One suspect in alleged carjacking seeks evaluation; other waives right to jury

QUINCY (WGEM) - The suspects in an alleged November 2021 carjacking that includes charges of home invasion and sexual assault appeared Friday morning in Adams County Court.

At a hearing for Bradley Yohn, assistant public defender John Citro raised questions about Yohn’s fitness to stand trial.

The Chief Judge of the Circuit Frank McCartney ordered an evaluation of Yohn, and the matter was continued until March 22.

The other suspect in the case, Karen Blackledge, waived her right to have a jury hear the case. Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Jones said that means the matter could become a bench trial or there still could be a negotiated plea. However, he stressed there is no negotiated plea in the case at this time.

Yohn and Blackledge each face two counts of home invasion, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking, one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault, all Class X felonies, and residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. Those charges are in connection with a Nov. 9 incident that allegedly began along the North Bottom Road.

Yohn also is charged with vehicular hijacking stemming from an Oct. 31 incident.

And he faces charges of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony; two counts of theft or unauthorized control of property over $500 but under $10,000, Class 3 felonies; and criminal sexual abuse, a Class 4 felony. Those charges stem from an Oct. 14 incident.

Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Blackledge is being held at the Adams County Jail on a $5 million bond. Yohn is being held on a $15 million bond, which is believed to be the largest bond amount ever set in the county.